Lubricant manifold assembly

ABSTRACT

A manifold assembly is disclosed for the distribution of lubricant to a plurality of lubricators. The manifold includes a plurality of blocks arranged in series or in end to end relation longitudinally. Each block is provided with a longitudinally extending bore with the bores of the respective blocks being axially aligned and in communication with each other to form a manifold distribution passage. An inlet to the distribution passage is provided in one of the blocks and an outlet communicating with the distribution passage is provided in each of the blocks. A plurality of lubricators corresponding to the number of blocks are supplied from the distribution passage through corresponding coupling means which are secured in the outlets of the respective blocks and support the lubricators.

United States Patent Lyden [151 3,656,584 [451 Apr.. l, 1972 [54]LUBRICANT MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY [72] Inventor: Frank J. Lyden, Manitowoc,Wis.

[73] Assignee: Oil-Rite Corporation, Manitowoc, Wis.

[22] Filed: Oct. 14, 1969 [21] Appl. No.: 866,319

Primary Examiner-Manuel A. Antonakas Attorney-Andrus, Sceales, Starke &Sawall [5 7] ABSTRACT A manifold assembly is disclosed for thedistribution of lubricant to a plurality of lubricators. The manifoldincludes a plurality of blocks arranged in series or in end to endrelation longitudinally. Each block is provided with a longitudinallyextending bore with the bores of the respective blocks being axiallyaligned and in communication with each other to form a manifolddistribution passage. An inlet to the distribution passage is providedin one of the blocks and an outlet communicating with the distributionpassage is provided in each of the blocks. A plurality of lubricatorscorresponding to the number of blocks are supplied from the distributionpassage through corresponding coupling means which are secured in theoutlets of the respective blocks and support the lubricators.

7 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 'PATENTEMPMIQN 3,555,564

BY Mw, @n @wf QM Attor n @ys LUBRICANT MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION This invention relates to a lubricant manifold assemblyfor use with a plurality of lubricators such as sight feed valves.

In one form of gang or multiple lubricators as shown and described inthe earlier U.S. Pat. No. 2,646,856 by the instant inventor, a manifoldwas common or integral with the sight feed valve bodies. In thatconstruction the manifold distribution passage was intercepted andobstructed by the several needle valves. Because of the needle valverestriction on oil flow, only a relatively few valves could beaccommodated when oil consumption was fairly high. Also, in the earlierconstruction, where the inlet was to be brought in centrally of thelubricators, a gap in the valves was required to accommodate the inletand thus more space was required for the gang mounting. Alignmentproblems were also common with the earlier construction. Each valve unitrequired accurate machining relative to the tie rod securement forproper alignment and appearance. Such accuracy proved difficult toattain and as a consequence appearance sometimes had to be sacriced. Itis generally an object of this invention to overcome the noted problemsand to provide a more versatile manifold construction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, a manifold assemblyfor the distribution of a lubricant to plurality of lubricatorscomprises a plurality of blocks arranged in series or in end to endrelation longitudinally. Each of the blocks is provided with alongitudinally extending bore with the respective bores being axiallyaligned and in communication with each other to form the manifolddistribution passage. An inlet having communication with thedistribution passage is provided in one of the blocks. Each block isprovided with an outlet communicating with the distribution passage. Aplurality of lubricators corresponding to the number of blocks aresupplied from the distribution passage through coupling means secured inthe outlet of the respective blocks and which support the lubricators.

DRAWING DESCRIPTIONS The drawings furnished herewith illustrate the bestmode presently contemplated and set forth hereinafter for carrying outthe invention.

In the drawings: l

FIG. l is a partially exploded perspective view and shows the manifoldstructure of this invention with a plurality of sight feed valvesconnected thereto;

FIG. 2 is a plan view with parts broken away and sectioned showing themanifold structure adapted for an increased number of sight feed valves;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally on line 3-3 of FIG.2 and further shows a sight feed valve added for clarit FIG. 4 is anenlarged view taken generally on line 4-4 of FIG. 2 with parts brokenaway and sectioned;

FIG. 5 is a partial elevational view with parts broken away andsectioned and shows a further form of terminal block;

FIG. 6 is a partial elevational view with parts broken away andsectioned and shows a further embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a partial elevational view with parts broken away andsectioned ans shows a further detail of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, themanifold 1l of this invention communicates with a lubricant reservoir,not shown through an inlet pipe l2. The lubricant from the reservoir isdistributed by the manifold 11 to a plurality of lubricators such as thesight feed valves 13 for delivery to a plurality of points ofapplication, not shown. The lubricant may flow through the system underthe influence of gravity or be force fed by an applied pressure.

The manifold 1l generally comprises a plurality of blocks arranged andassembled in end to end relation or in series longitudinally with eachblock being adapted to receive a lubricator 13. As generally shown inFIGS. 1-4 any number of desired intermediate blocks 14 are disposedbetween the terminal blocks l5 and 16 at the respective end of themanifold.

Each of the blocks 14 is provided with a longitudinally extendingthrough bore 17 generally centrally of the block. At the correspondingend of each block 14 a relatively shallow counterbore 18 is providedgenerally concentrically with the bore 17. The respective counterbores18 are adapted to receive a resilient O-ring 19 having an insidediameter corresponding generally to that of bore 17 and thecross-sectional diameter of which somewhat exceeds the depth of thecounterbores. In the manifold assembly, the O-rings are compressedwithin the counterbores to seal the corresponding joint between theadjacent blocks 14.

A threaded outlet 20 extends from the forward face 21 of each block 14generally normal to a vertical plane through the centerline of bore 17.The outlet 20 communicates with the bore 17 with the center line of theoutlet being somewhat beneath the centerline of the bore to provide anatural flow path from the bore into the outlet. A hollow threadedcoupling element 22 is adapted to be threaded into the outlet 20 toplace the bore 17 in communication with the corresponding lubricator 13supported from the coupling element. Since the outlets 20 and thecorresponding coupling elements 22 are generally transversely aligned,the lubricators 13 are as a consequence similarly aligned.

The forward face 21 of each block 14 is provided with an indentation orrecess 23 which extends the entire length of the block adjacent to theupper surface thereof. The recess 23 may be generally square in crosssection, as shown, and provides the forward face 21 with a steppedconfiguration. A similar longitudinally extending recess 24 is providedin the rear face 25 of each block 14 adjacent to the lower surfacethereof.

Any desired number of blocks 14 are arranged in series longitudinallywith the bores 17 being axially aligned as well as the front and rearfaces 21 and 25, respectively, being similarly aligned and with thecounterbores 18 all facing in the sarne direction. With the blocks 14 soarranged the aligned bores 17 form a part of the manifold distributionpassage 26 which communicates with the respective lubricators 13.

As shown .in the drawings, the assembly further includes the opposedterminal blocks 15 and 16 having generally similar cross-sectionaldimensions as the blocks 14. The terminal block 15, as viewed on theright in FIGS. 2 and 4, is provided with a longitudinal through bore 27axially aligned with the bores 17 and having a like diameter. The block15 further includes at outlet 20 in the front face thereof transverselyaligned with the similar outlets in the blocks 14 for reception of acoupling element 22 for support of a lubricator 13. The outer end ofbore 27 is threaded at 28 and is adapted to receive the closure plug 29forming one terminus for the distribution passage 26. The joint betweenthe terminal block 15 and the adjacent block 14 is sealed upon assemblyby the O- ring 19 provided in the counterbore 18 of the latter block.The block 15 includes the diagonally opposed indentations or recesses 23and 24 in the front and rear faces 21 and 25 respectively, similarly asin the blocks 14.

The terminal block 16, on the left as viewed in FIGS. 2 and 4, isgenerally similar to block 15 but of opposite hand. Through bore 30 inblock 16 is axially aligned with and of like diameter with the bores 17and 27 of the blocks 14 and 15. The outer end of bore 30 is threaded. at31 to receive a closure plug 29 to form the other terminus for thedistribution passage 26 of the manifold. A relatively shallowcounterbore 32 is provided concentn'cally with bore 30 to correspondgenerally with the counterbore 18 in the blocks 14. An O-ring 19 isdisposed in the counterbore 32 to effect a seal at the joint betweenterminal block 16 and the adjacent block 14. Block 16 further includesan outlet 20 transversely aligned with the similar outlets n blocks 14and 15 for receipt of a coupling element 22 and corresponding lubricator13.

After the desired number of blocks 14 together with the terminal blocksl and 16 are arranged in end to end relation as described, a terminalplate 33 is placed at the respective ends of the assembly outwardly ofthe terminal blocks. The respective plates 33 are provided with openings34 which are aligned with and oversize relative to the correspondingthreaded bores 27 and 30 in terminal blocks 15 and 16 to provide forpassage of the respective closure plugs 29.

With the blocks 14, 15 and 16 arranged as described, the indentations orrecesses 23 and 24 in the forward and rear faces of the respectiveblocks are generally aligned and adapted to receive the tie rods 35having a cross-section generally corresponding to that for the recesses.The respective tie rods 35 are somewhat shorter than the combined lengthof the aligned blocks 14, 15 and 16 so that the respective ends of thetie rods remain spaced from the corresponding terminal plates 33. Screws36 extend through the respective terminal plates 33 and engage withinaxially extending threaded openings 37 in the corresponding ends of thetie rods 35 to secure the assembly into an integral unit. As therespective screws 36 are drawn up tight, the respective blocks 14, 15and 16 are drawn together to compress the several O-rings 19 and so sealthe corresponding joints between the respective blocks against leakage.

The manifold distribution passage 26 is supplied from a lubricantreservoir, not shown, through a threaded inlet 38 adapted for receipt ofan inlet fitting 39 and disposed in one of the blocks 14. In FIGS. lthrough 3 the inlet 38 and its fitting 39 are shown disposed in the rearface 25 of the centermost block 14 of the manifold assembly with thecenterline of the inlet being above the centerline of distributionpassage 26. If a particular application permits, the inlet 38 may beeliminated and either of the threaded bores 27 or 30 may serve as theinlet to the distribution passage 26. FIG. 7 shows another fonn of block40 to be further described hereinafter and indicates that, depending onparticular applications or desires, the inlet 38 may be placed in theupper surface 41 of a block and even in one ofthe terminal blocks.

ln the embodiment of FIG. 5, another form of terminal block 42 is shown.ln the terminal block 42 the longitudinally extending bore 43 of themanifold distribution passage 44 stops short of the end of the blockeliminating any need for closure plug 29. While a gasket 45 is shownbetween the terminal block 42 and the adjacent block 46, the O-ringconstruction ofthe earlier figures could be utilized therebetween.

The embodiment of FIG. 6 shows a gasketed construction and presents thefurther advantage that all of the blocks 47 in the manifold assembly,even those corresponding to the terminal blocks, may be generallysimilar. The blocks 47 are generally similar to blocks 14 except for themode of sealing therebetween and each has a longitudinally extendingthrough bore 48 which in assembled relation forms the manifolddistribution passage 49. While apertured gaskets 45 are provided forsealing the joints between adjacent blocks 47, non-aper tured gaskets 50are preferably used together with an end closure plate 51 having noaperture aligned with passage 49 to seal the ends of the passage. Theblock 40 of FIG. 7 is generally similar to the blocks 47 except for theadditional provision of the inlet 38.

lclaim:

1. ln a manifold for the distribution of lubricant, to a plurality oflubricators, a plurality of block-like members corresponding to saidlubricators and arranged in series longitudinally to form an assembly,said block-like members each having a longitudinally extending boregenerally centrally thereof with the bores of the respective membersbeing disposed in axially aligned relation and in communication witheach other to form a manifold distribution passage in the assembly, saidblock-like members each having longitudinally extending recessesprovided along a pair of diagonally opposed edges thereof with therecesses of the respective members being longitudinally aligned over thelength of the assembly, and tie rod means disposed in the diagonallyopposed and aligned recesses of said series of block-like members forsecuring the assembly into an integral unit, one of said blocklikemembers having an inlet communicating with the manifold distributionpassage and each of said members having an outlet communicating withsaid passage and receiving a corresponding lubricator, said outlets inthe respective blocklike members having their centerline disposedbeneath the centerline of the manifold distribution passage to place thecorresponding lubricators in communication with said manifold passage.

2. In a manifold for the distribution of lubricant, a plurality oflubricators, a plurality of block-like members corresponding to saidlubricators and having front, rear, top bottom and opposed end faces andbeing arranged in series end to end to form a longitudinally extendingassembly, said block-like members each having a bore extending end toend and generally centrally thereof with the bores of the respectivemembers being disposed in axially aligned relation and in communicationwith each other to form a longitudinally extending manifold distributionpassage in the assembly, said block-like members each havinglongitudinally extending recesses provided along the diagonally opposededges formed between the front and top faces thereof and between therear and bottom faces thereof with the recesses of the respectivemembers being longitudinally aligned over the length of the assembly,and tie rod means disposed in the diagonally opposed and alignedrecesses of said series of block-like members for securing the assemblyinto an integral unit, one of said block-like members having an inlet inthe rear face thereof communicating with the manifold distributionpassage, said inlet being disposed above the tie rod means and having acenterline disposed above the centerline of said manifold passage, saidmembers each having an outlet communicating with said manifolddistribution passage and receiving a corresponding lubricator, saidoutlets in the respective block-like members being disposed in the frontface thereof beneath the tie rod means and having their centerlinedisposed beneath the centerline of the manifold distribution passage toplace the corresponding lubricators in corresponding lubricators incommunication with said manifold passage.

3. In a manifold for the distribution of lubricant, a plurality oflubricators, a plurality of intermediate block-like members arranged inseries longitudinally, a pair of terminal block-like members havingsimilar cross-sectional dimensions as the intermediate block-likemembers and being disposed at the respective ends of the intermediatemembers to form an assembly having opposed front and rear faces, saidintermediate and terminal block-like members together corresponding tosaid lubricators, said block-like members each having a longitudinallyextending bore with the bores of the respective members being axiallyaligned and in communication with each other to form a manifolddistribution passage in the assembly, end closure means for saidmanifold passage provided at the outer ends of the terminal members,said block-like members each having longitudinally extending recessalong the upper edge of the front face and the lower edge of the rearface to provide the assembly with diagonally opposed, longitudinallyaligned recesses, and tie rod means disposed in the diagonally opposedrecesses of the assembly for securing the assembly into an integralunit, one of said block-like members having an inlet in the rear facethereof communicating with the manifold distribution passage, said inletbeing disposed above the tie rod means and having a centerline disposedabove the centerline of said manifold passage, said members each havingan outlet communicating with said manifold distribution passage andreceiving a corresponding lubricator, said outlets in the respectiveblock-like members being disposed in the front face thereof beneath thetie rod means and having their centerline disposed beneath thecenterline of the manifold distribution passage to place thecorresponding lubricators in communication with said manifold passage.

4. The invention as set forth in claim 3 wherein the bore in saidtenninal block-like members terminates inside the respective terminalmembers to fonn the end closure means for the manifold distributionpassage.

an end plate and a sealing member intennediate the respective terminalmembers and the corresponding end plate.

7. The invention as set forth in claim 6 wherein the end plates formingthe end closure means constitute a part of the tie rod means forsecuring said block-like members into an integral unit.

1. In a manifold for the distribution of lubricant, to a plurality oflubricators, a plurality of block-like members corresponding to saidlubricators and arranged in series longitudinally to form an assembly,said block-like members each having a longitudinally extending boregenerally centrally thereof with the bores of the respective membersbeing disposed in axially aligned relation and in communication witheach other to form a manifold distribution passage in the assembly, saidblock-like members each having longitudinally extending recessesprovided along a pair of diagonally opposed edges thereof with therecesses of the respective members being longitudinally aligned over thelength of the assembly, and tie rod means disposed in the diagonallyopposed and aligned recesses of said series of block-like members forsecuring the assembly into an integral unit, one of said block-likemembers having an inlet communicating with the manifold distributionpassage and each of said members having an outlet communicating withsaid passage and receiving a corresponding lubricator, said outlets inthe respective block-like members having their centerline disposedbeneath the centerline of the manifold distribution passage to place thecorresponding lubricators in communication with said manifold passage.2. In a manifold for the distribution of lubricant, a plurality oflubricators, a plurality of block-like members corresponding to saidlubricators and having front, rear, top bottom and opposed end faces andbeing arranged in series end to end to form a longitudinally extendingassembly, said block-like members each having a bore extending end toend and generally centrally thereof with the bores of the respectivemembers being disposed in axially aligned relation and in communicationwith each other to form a longitudinally extending manifold distributionpassage in the assembly, said block-like members each havinglongitudinally extending recesses provided along the diagonally opposededges formed between the front and top faces thereof and between therear and bottom faces thereof with the recesses of the respectivemembers being longitudinally aligned over the length of the assembly,and tie rod means disposed in the diagonally opposed and alignedrecesses of said series of block-like members for securing the assemblyinto an integral unit, one of said block-like members having an inlet inthe rear face thereof communicating with the manifold distributionpassage, said inlet being disposed above the tie rod means and having acenterline disposed above the centerline of said manifold passage, saidmembers each having an outlet communicating with said manifolddistribution passage and receiving a corresponding lubricator, saidoutlets in the respective block-like members being disposed in the frontface thereof beneath the tie rod means and having their centerlinedisposed beneath the centerline of the manifold distribution passage toplace the corresponding lubricators in corresponding lubricators incommunication with said manifold passage.
 3. In a manifold for thedistribution of lubricant, a plurality of lubricators, A plurality ofintermediate block-like members arranged in series longitudinally, apair of terminal block-like members having similar cross-sectionaldimensions as the intermediate block-like members and being disposed atthe respective ends of the intermediate members to form an assemblyhaving opposed front and rear faces, said intermediate and terminalblock-like members together corresponding to said lubricators, saidblock-like members each having a longitudinally extending bore with thebores of the respective members being axially aligned and incommunication with each other to form a manifold distribution passage inthe assembly, end closure means for said manifold passage provided atthe outer ends of the terminal members, said block-like members eachhaving longitudinally extending recess along the upper edge of the frontface and the lower edge of the rear face to provide the assembly withdiagonally opposed, longitudinally aligned recesses, and tie rod meansdisposed in the diagonally opposed recesses of the assembly for securingthe assembly into an integral unit, one of said block-like membershaving an inlet in the rear face thereof communicating with the manifolddistribution passage, said inlet being disposed above the tie rod meansand having a centerline disposed above the centerline of said manifoldpassage, said members each having an outlet communicating with saidmanifold distribution passage and receiving a corresponding lubricator,said outlets in the respective block-like members being disposed in thefront face thereof beneath the tie rod means and having their centerlinedisposed beneath the centerline of the manifold distribution passage toplace the corresponding lubricators in communication with said manifoldpassage.
 4. The invention as set forth in claim 3 wherein the bore insaid terminal block-like members terminates inside the respectiveterminal members to form the end closure means for the manifolddistribution passage.
 5. The invention as set forth in claim 3 whereinthe bore in said terminal block like members is a through bore havingthreaded outer end portions and the end closure means for the manifolddistribution passage are plugs adapted to be threaded into said bore endportions.
 6. The invention as set forth in claim 3 wherein the bore insaid terminal block like members is a through bore and the end enclosuremeans for the manifold distribution passage are an end plate and asealing member intermediate the respective terminal members and thecorresponding end plate.
 7. The invention as set forth in claim 6wherein the end plates forming the end closure means constitute a partof the tie rod means for securing said block-like members into anintegral unit.